Lord of the flies

I’ve been a little critical of the Yes2AV campaign’s tactics (the ‘AV will make MPs work harder’ line) but have refrained from wading into the debate over the equally poor tactics employed by the No2AV campaign and some rather bad taste posters. I’ve just received their leaflet – here’s a copy someone has annotated.

All this pales into insignificance though when compared with the tactics adopted by Conservative HQ, which has issued a press release suggesting that if we adopt AV here, as they do in Papua New Guineau, we will end up becoming just like them, which the People has interpreted as, er, breastfeeding piglets…. Kudos to Political Scrapbook for this scoop.

Both campaigns have been very ‘anti-politician’, which is a great shame. Both are plugging misleading exaggerations and demonising the other option, and through it the politicians that it would (or does elect). This does nothing to bridge the gap in understanding between electors and elected.

Why don’t the Conservatives use first pass the post in their Leadership Election process if it is so bloody superior ? Oh then David Davis would be Leader of the Opposition that’s why – but the masses are too stupid to be trusted with AV.

I too got the No2AV leaflet today. Was not impressed by the ‘we could get 6,297 teachers instead’ line. I’ve just been canvassed by NASUWT about potential strike action and it seems that all the teacher unions are ready to go out, even the more moderate ones like ATL. I’m sure the Tories said that education would escape the ‘swingeing cuts’ but teachers are nevertheless facing redundancy, having job titles changed to reduce pay and having wages reduced through back door tactics. So, needless to say, for teachers that No2AV leaflet is not funny at all.

And what about teaching assistants? I’ve heard that they’re being cut, and many teachers now rely on their support in the classroom – I know the NUT were unhappy when they were first introduced, but from what I’ve seen when I visit schools it really makes a difference to have a lower adult:pupil ratio, without undermining the teacher’s professionalism and status.

Absolutely. We’ve been told that our school is ‘overstaffed’ by South Glos. Our TAs have been crucial in helping our school improve over the last couple of years. They’re invaluable in taking me away from things that are time consuming but necessary (putting up displays, photocopying and what have you) and also act as another pair of eyes and ears in the classroom. A good TA is worth their weight in gold, but they get a low wage and much is expected of them. I believe that adult:child ratio is the biggest way to improve standards. If we want schools to continue improving, then this is the best way to do it, especially in ‘tougher’ urban areas. TAs do great work for hardly any wage so they’re great value for money. Getting rid of them is madness.

It’s the duplicity of the government that is really annoying teachers at the moment – pensions is just the final straw. Even those that vote Tory/Lib Dem. We could accept some cutting and much of the streamlining is even perhaps welcomed, but when serious cuts are clearly being made and we’re told it isn’t really happening and that we’re being protected it is very frustrating.